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How Does a Polish Christmas Differ From an American Christmas?
When Polish Christmas Is Celebrated
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Unlike American Christmas, where most of the festivities happen on Christmas day, Polish Christmas is primarily celebrated on Christmas Eve. It all begins when the family sees the first star in the eastern sky. This is called the "gwiazdka." It is the sign that the feast to commemorate the birth of Jesus can start.
Preparations for Polish Christmas
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Decorating the home in traditional art is an important part of Polish Christmas. Paper-cutting art called "wycinanki" is displayed in the shape of mangers. Mangers are also made out of tin paper. These creations are called "szopka" and are seen in every Polish home. The Christmas tree is called a "choinka." It must be elaborately decorated preferably with an angel on top. A candle is lit and placed in the window to light the way for lost travelers.
Polish Christmas Dinner
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The Polish Christmas dinner, called the "wigilia", is steeped in tradition. A thin layer of hay is placed beneath a white tablecloth in honor of the baby Jesus. An extra place is set at the table in front of empty chair in case a stranger or lost relative drops by to share the meal. Before everyone is seated, a wafer called an "oplatek" is broken apart and shared as everyone wishes each other good fortune. There is no meat at a Polish Christmas dinner. 13 different dishes are served to represent the 13 disciples.
After Polish Christmas Dinner
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Polish Christmas carols called "koledy" are sung after dinner. They are ancient songs performed the same way today that they were hundreds of years ago. All the gifts are then taken from beneath the tree and opened on Christmas Eve.
Polish Santa
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In Polish Christmas celebrations, Santa Claus is not the commercial gift giver he is in America. Saint Nicholas the bishop is revered in Polish culture. He is believed to visit homes and leave presents beneath the tree. There are no stockings full of gifts as in America.
Polish Christmas Mass
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Polish is a predominantly Catholic country. There is a strong tradition of attending midnight mass at the end of Christmas Eve. The Mass is called the Shepherds Watch or "Pasterka" in Polish. It is believed that animals can talk on this night, but only the purest people can hear them.
Christmas Day
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In Poland, Christmas day is reserved for prayer and visits with relatives. It is also a time to relax and recuperate from all the festivities on Christmas Eve.
eHow Article: How Does a Polish Christmas Differ From an American Christmas?
